Refried beans made in a crock pot. Lots of flavor and no fat!
Easy to make refried beans
I love these crock pot refried beans! They are so tasty, so easy and they aren't from a can!
Anytime I make something myself, I just know exactly how it has been handled and the quality of the ingredients I use. Plus homemade refried beans are much cheaper than buying the cans from the grocery store.
Slow cooker refried beans
I've made these refried beans several times and I think I've finally nailed the technique. Even though these are called refried beans, they aren't really refried. I know traditionally that is how they got their name, but not necessary here. Once the beans are cooked through, you have them mash them up! Lots of fun, right?
Since we also need to keep the onion, garlic, and peppers in the beans, pureeing the mixture actually works better. I've used all types of modern conveniences: an immersion blender, regular blender, and a food processor.
The blenders work well, but my biggest problem is too much liquid. And too much liquid means runny beans. Now I don't like my beans as thick as they come out of the can, but I would like them to hold their shape on a chip or not run straight out of a burrito.
The food processor has become my best friend for these beans. I simply scoop the beans, onions, garlic and peppers out of the crock pot with a slotted spoon and pile it into the food processor. A bit of the liquid gets transferred with each spoonful. Then simply pulse until blended!
If it is too dry you can scoop a bit more liquid. I do this in several batches and then place huge bowl. It is okay to leave a few beans whole or just partially mashed. Once they are all mashed up, I add salt and then divvy up the beans into small containers and throw them in the freezer for weeknight dinners.
Another easy recipe for refried beans are these quick refried beans.
When I make these, I usually make the biggest batch that will fit into my crock pot. For me, that's a two pound package of pinto beans. My recipe below is for one pound of pinto beans. Not everyone has a huge crockpot.
If you love using your crockpot for cooking beans, you'll also want to check out this recipe for slow cooker charro beans!
These refried beans are perfect in my cream cheese bean dip!
Another dried bean recipe to try is Instant Pot Black Beans.
These beans are perfect to serve with baked tortilla chips, baked enchiladas, tacos and taquitos or added to a burrito along with shredded chicken.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
If you loved this recipe you'll LOVE all the others in this category. Check out all my side dishes here!
Crock Pot Refried Beans
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pinto beans
- 1 whole onion (skin removed and halved)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 whole jalapeno pepper (stem and seeds removed)
- 2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
- Put beans in a crock pot.1 pound dried pinto beans
- Cover with water. Water level should be about 3 inches above top of beans.
- Add onion, garlic, and peppers.1 whole onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1 whole jalapeno pepper
- Cook on high for 6 hours until beans are cooked through.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer mixture to a food processor. Pulse until smooth. You will need to do several batches of this step.
- Add salt to taste.2 teaspoons salt
Notes
Anaheim peppers can be substituted for jalapenos.
If you like spicier beans, leave seeds in peppers.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
Adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe
Marg says
Making these today.
In the recipe, it just says,
"Add onion, garlic, and peppers.
1 whole onion,4 cloves garlic,1 whole jalapeno pepper
Cook on high for 6 hours until beans are cooked through."
Do you chop the onion and jalapeno pepper, or just toss everything in and walk away?
Don't stir?
Kathy says
Hi Marg,
If you jump back up to the ingredients, it states, "1 whole onion (skin removed and halved)
4 cloves garlic
1 whole jalapeno pepper (stem and seeds removed)
Large chunks are fine because they will be pureed after everything is cooked.
Sorry for the confusion! Hope that help! 🙂
Kathy
lisi says
Hey, I made these and they were pretty good! they really did have that refried bean taste without being fried (obviously). I ate them throughout the week. I'm probably making them again this weekend.
Kathy says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you like them! I make them often...we seem to eat a lot of refried beans!
ramona @ the merchant baker says
I never thought of making my own refried beans. I love that it's a crock pot deal with no worries about an overnight soak. Can't wait to try them. We all love refried beans in this house!
Kathy says
They are easy and very delicious! I hope you give them a try!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Oh! I am so embarrassed to confess that I have not tried refired beans yet. But this looks so good, and I need to make it asap! Lovely share, Kathy! 🙂
Kathy says
It's not too late to give them a try!
Jess @ What Jessica Baked Next says
These refried beans look delicious! Love how easy they are to prepare! 🙂
Kathy says
They are super easy to make!
Ashley says
That's such a smart idea to make refried beans in the crockpot! And considering we eat mexican all the time I should totally make these!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Oh wow - I can imagine the flavor of homemade refried beans...my family will love them! Especially with the added jalapeno!
Kathy says
You can always add a couple extra jalapenos if you like a little more heat!
Melanie @ Melanie Cooks says
I never tried making refried beans myself, but I can only imagine how tasty they are! Homemade things are always so much better than canned, and healthier too! Looks delicious!
Kathy says
They are delicious!
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
I just started eating refried beans about 2 months ago (silly me) but love making stuff at home that's not processed. Don't need processed food! But just the fact that this is made in a Crock pot? I mean, what can't you do with a Crock pot these days?!? Amazing =)
Kathy says
Crock pots are amazing...I don't use mine nearly enough!
Adina says
My grandma used to make something similar in Romania, with white beans, paprika instead of jalapeno and lots of raw onions on top. I know just how delicious this is. And I love those chips as well, I would love to try this combination.
Kathy says
I think it is fascinating that every culture has their own dish that is so similar to other cultures.
David @ Spiced says
I'm with ya here, Kathy! Whenever I can make something at home myself, I'm all about it. I've never tried making refried beans myself, but after seeing these pics I totally want to try it. I'm thinking these could become a staple around here! 🙂
Kathy says
They are definitely a staple in our house.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I could eat refried bean at every meal, so crock pot refried beans sounds all sorts of amazing to me! With the convenience of the crock pot, I really CAN eat them at every meal.... which might be a dangerous thing. 😉 Can't wait to try these! Cheers!
Kathy says
Hope you enjoy them! Thanks 🙂
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
Homemade refried beans are the best! Never made them in the crock pot before but definitely making them that way from now on. So easy and no soaking of the beans. Woohooo! 🙂
Kathy says
I was never any good with remembering to soak my beans overnight, so these beans are perfect for me. Just throw everything in the pot when you're ready!
Amanda says
I like that you make the biggest batch that fits in your crockpot! fantastic! I am the only one I know who likes refried beans. I don't get it. they're amazing! My favorite thing to do is make a batch of refried beans, then smear it on a pizza crust to make my favorite taco pizza. I will definitely have to try this!
Kathy says
On pizza! I haven't tried that! Time to make another batch of beans...gotta try it on taco pizza!